AWARD-WINNING PHILIPPINE FILM "JOHN DENVER TRENDING" OPENS IN KOREA

A special screening organized by Cinema NEWONE, the Korean distributor of "John Denver Trending", was held on 23 November at the CGV Apgujeong theater. NEWONE CEO Mr. Sony Won welcomed the viewers and hoped that this would be the first, among future commercial screenings of Filipino films in Korea. Mr. Won is a film producer, director, and specializes in the distribution of Asian films in Korea.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega with Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista, and Assistant Vivienne Velasquez lent support at the screening and thanked the Korean audience for viewing the film as well as acknowledging the efforts of Mr. Sony Won in actively promoting and distributing "John Denver Trending" to a wider audience in Korea.

"John Denver Trending" has won 15 awards at film festivals around the world, including notching a nomination for Best Film in the New Currents competition section of the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), and 6 awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Original Song, Editing, Cinematography, and the NETPAC Jury Award at the 15th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival (2019). It likewise won Best Project at the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival (2018). The movie was shot entirely in the Municipality of Pandan, in Antique, Philippines. The film's production received support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Film Director Arden Rod Condez wrote a screenplay based on various events that emerged through social media and created a thought-provoking film with a social message based on true stories. In particular, the film depicts the complex problems of modern society, which is undergoing rapid digitization, along with a strong message on online and physical bullying that will resonate across generations. END